Many times the public will request information on a certain issue or address. We are required by the public records law to provide the public with public information, but we nay charge for the time we spend researching.

Bureau Policy:

Bureau staff will charge the public for the time they spend researching information.

Procedure:

When the public requests information that will need to be researched, staff will inform the public that there is a charge for this. If the time to research the records, including photocopying documents, is less than 15 minutes, staff will not charge for this time. If the time exceeds 15 minutes, the section supervisor may authorize staff to charge the public for this time. If the time exceeds 30 minutes, staff will charge for this time. Staff should notify their supervisor if the time to research is expected to exceed 30 minutes.

The rate charged will be $25.00 per hour. This will be calculated to the nearest 15 minutes ($6.25 for each 15 minutes).

The money will be collected prior to giving the research to the public.

Money that is collected on the ninth floor should be taken to the receptionist. The receptionist will write out a receipt and give it to the customer receiving the research.

Money that is received in the mail or in the Permit Center can be receipted by the Permit Center cashier.

These charges do not apply to research for copies of plumbing and woodstove permits for which we already charge $5.00 per permit.

Note: The $25.00 per hour charge is based on amount charged by the Auditor's Office.

HISTORY

Filed by Bureau of Development Services for inclusion in PPD September 29, 2004.

Originally published as Bureau of Buildings Procedure No. A-1-16 dated September 28, 1989.